“Arizona is one of the most diverse and complex and exciting
geological provinces
in the whole world. We have 1700 million years of history here that
really unlock the whole history of North America.”

Lee AllisonState Geologist of ArizonaDirector of the Arizona Geological Survey

Two billion years in the making, Arizona's landscape is recognized worldwide.
The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Kartchner Caverns — the diversity of
natural forces that created these wonders are unique to our state. Forged
by fire, submerged in water and buried by earth, the stories are not found
on the surface. These stories are under Arizona.

Eight, Arizona PBS takes viewers on a visually stunning trip. Our cameras capture
never-before seen Native American ancestral sites, a dazzling treasure of
gemstones and minerals, networks of aquifers, caves and lava tubes, newly
discovered remains of dinosaur tracks, and historic mining towns. And at
each step of the exploration, Arizona's past, and future, unfolds. Spectacular
high-definition photography and computer animation combine for a compelling
discovery of the natural riches found only in the Grand Canyon state.

Under Arizona also unveils out-of-the-ordinary phenomena:
from the strange substance at the bottom of Montezuma Well to the mystery
of the World War II B-29 bomber hidden for decades at the bottom of Lake
Mead. Under Arizona airs on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011
at 8 p.m. on Eight, Arizona PBS.

“Arizona lives and dies by its geology. It's critical for our water. It's
critical for the minerals that drive our economy. What is under Arizona
is critical to every decision we make during the day,” says Lee Allison.

Under Arizona 's perspective is unprecedented, taking
viewers on a journey from its core to the surface in three thrilling chapters:
Fire, Water, and Earth.

Chapter One: FIRE

Geological History – Arizona's violent, volcanic past

Much of Arizona's geology is the result of millions of years of volcanic
explosions. The Valley of the Sun's South Mountain is the survivor of the
rupturing and collision of earth's crust. East of Phoenix, the Superstition
Mountains were once an enormous stratovolcano. And San Francisco Mountain,
also known as San Francisco Peaks, is the largest volcano in Northern Arizona
and the highest point in all the state. Today, more than 460 volcanoes
dot an 18,000 mile square area known as the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Eight ventures into the meandering lava tubes beneath the
forests of Northern Arizona created by volcanic activity and ponders the
very real potential for future eruptions.

Minerals, Crystals, and Gems

Gold, silver, and copper are but a few of the precious minerals found
in Arizona. Quartz, turquoise, calcite, azurite, and many other stunningly
beautiful crystals and gems are the result of hundreds of thousands of
years of pressure and heat. Under Arizona offers an up-close-and-personal
view of these treasures.

Chapter Two: WATER

Kartchner Caverns

With thirteen thousand feet of passages and three ‘rooms' as long as football
fields, it's Arizona's massive limestone cave. Eight cameras
offer a view as never seen before.

Aquifers and Lakes
Aquifers helped sustain the early settlers with water for farming, and it may
very well determine Arizona's future.. Great man-made reservoirs, such as
Roosevelt Lake, submerged entire communities. And water helped shape
the magnificent sandstone arches and canyons of Lake Powell. Eight asks
the scientists and experts to explain the awesome power of our most precious
resource.

Montezuma Well

Under Arizona investigates the out-of-the-ordinary findings
at Montezuma Well.

“If you go down into the waters, you're almost immediately confronted
with a flurry of leeches that are a couple of inches long that seem to
be feeding on amphipods. So, you're starting off with a very, a
very unusual place. And the bottom you find is moving around. It's
going around in concentric circles. It had been described as mush cooking,
as oatmeal, as silica gel, everything you could think of. When it comes
right down to it, I think our group probably has had the most personal
experience down there. And we don't know what the heck it is,” says Dan
Lenihan, Underwater Archeologist, National Park Service.

Dinosaur
tracks

A recent exploration at Lake Powell revealed remains of dinosaur tracks
in Arizona. Eight/KAET-TV was there for the discovery.

“The Colorado Plateau (in Northern Arizona) is one of the treasure troves
for the history of dinosaurs. It was preserved for so long and all these
mountain building episodes, all these volcanoes, really didn't disrupt
that area,” said Lee Allison, State Geologist of Arizona, Director of Arizona
Geological Survey. “So the sediments were preserved, flat lying, undeformed
and so a few million years go by and the Plateau lifted up and started
exposing these rocks. They were perfect. They were pristine.”

Chapter Three: EARTH

Mines – Gold, Silver, Copper

The mines spurred the rapid growth and development of our state. Gold,
silver, and copper brought thousands of speculators to Arizona. Under
Arizona travels back in time to tell the tale of the mines' raucous
rise, inevitable fall, and recent rebirth.

“ Without mining, Arizona would not be the great state that it is today. It
is still a fundamental part of the economy of this state and it's really
a fundamental part of our way of life in this state,” said Mary Poulton,
Head of the Mining and Geologic Engineering Deptartment, University of
Arizona.

Buried Cultures – Ancestral sites, Pots, and Artifacts
“ .. the resources and the composition of the underworld, it's really a window
into our past … our cultural history, our physical history, and even for
us … our creation stories. It's the foundation that we build upon for our
lives,” said Micah Lomaomvaya, Anthropologist, Hopi, Bear Clan.

Under Arizona offers viewers a unique opportunity to
visit rare places – where civilizations that were once under the surface
are now exposed.

About Eight, Arizona PBS

Eight, Arizona PBS specializes in the education of children, in-depth news and public affairs, lifelong learning, and the celebration of arts and culture -- utilizing the power of noncommercial television, the Internet, educational outreach services, and community-based initiatives. The PBS station began broadcasting from the campus of Arizona State University on January 30, 1961. Now more than 80 percent of Arizonans receive the signal through a network of translators, cable and satellite systems. With more than 1 million viewers each week, Eight consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. Arizonans provide more than 60 percent of the station's annual budget.